Agent for reducing intestinal toxic bacterium and food or pharmaceutical preparation comprising the same

ABSTRACT

An agent for reducing an intestinal toxic bacterium is provided, the agent including: a pulverized product or extract of a plant of the genus  Salacia.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to an agent for reducing an intestinal toxicbacterium or toxic substance, which comprises a pulverized product orextract of a plant of the genus Salacia and a food or pharmaceuticalpreparation containing its components.

BACKGROUND ART

The root and trunk of a plant of the genus Salacia have been used as anatural drug by a traditional medical science, aayurveda, in India andSri Lanka. It has been handed down in Sri Lanka that the root skin ofSalacia reticulata is effective in treating rheumatism, gonorrhea and askin disease and is also used in the treatment of initial stage diabetesmellitus. In India, a root of Salacia oblonga is used in similartreatments, and it is said that Salacia chinensis is also used in thetreatment of diabetes mellitus (FOOD Style 21, vol. 6, no. 5, pp.72-78).

Thus, it has been handed down that plants of the genus Salacia areeffective in the prevention and early stage treatment of diabetesmellitus. In recent years, it has been reported that a plant of thegenus Salacia has the action to suppress increase of blood sugar level,and its action mechanism is the sugar absorption suppressing actionbased on the α-glucosidase activity inhibition (FOOD Style 21, vol. 6,no. 5, pp. 72-78).

In addition, certain compounds which are contained in the extractioncomponents of the genus Salacia and have the action to inhibitα-glucosidase activity (Japanese Patent No. 3030008, JP-A-2004-323420and JP-A-2000-86653), and their application examples as anti-diabeticagents based on the α-glucosidase activity inhibitory action(JP-A-9-301882 and Japanese Patent No. 3261090), have been known.

Regarding effects of the pulverized products and extracts of plants ofthe genus Salacia on the stomach and intestines, there is a reportstating that these are effective as the motor accelerator of digestiveorgan systems (Japanese Patent No. 3771789), but there is no descriptionon toxic bacteria and toxic substances in the intestines.

Also, there is a report stating that these can improve intestinalenvironment by their concomitant use with lactic acid bacilli andbifidobacterium (JP-A-2007-31345), but since separation from the effectsof lactic acid bacilli and bifidobacterium originally having theintestinal environment improving action has not been made, the effect ofSalacia is not clear. In addition, since there is no description also onthe toxic bacteria and toxic substances in the intestines, specificeffect of Salacia is not clear.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to this report, an agent for reducing an intestinal toxicbacterium is provided. In addition, by revealing efficacy of the plantsof the genus Salacia in the intestines, which has not so far been knownclearly, a food article and pharmaceutical preparation to which theefficacy is applied are provided. Particularly, by finding new effectsto lower intestinal pH, to reduce intestinal ammonia concentration, toreduce intestinal putrefaction product concentration, to accelerateintestinal bifidobacterium propagation and to improve chapped skin,these improving measures are provided.

Though most of the effects of Salacia so far reported are as describedin the above, the present inventors have intensively examined this timeon the influences of the ingestion of Salacia upon the intestines,chapped skin and physical conditions and found as a result that Salaciareduces toxic bacteria in the intestines, reduces ammonia and the liketoxic substances in the intestines and increases bifidobacterium(Bifidobacterium) and the like good bacteria.

The invention consists of the following constructions.

(1) An agent for reducing an intestinal toxic bacterium, whichcomprises:

a pulverized product or extract of a plant of the genus Salacia.

(2) The agent for reducing an intestinal toxic bacterium as described in(1) above, which shows an activity as a sucrase 50% inhibitionconcentration (IC₅₀ value) of 50 μg/ml or more and 1,000 μg/ml or less.

(3) The agent for reducing an intestinal toxic bacterium as described in(1) or (2) above, which further comprises:

from 1 to 50% by mass of catechin.

(4) The agent for reducing an intestinal toxic bacterium as described inany one of (1) to (3) above, which further comprises:

from 2 to 80% by mass of polyphenols having lipase activity inhibitoryeffect.

(5) The agent for reducing an intestinal toxic bacterium as described in(1) above,

wherein the intestinal toxic bacterium to be reduced is a bacterium ofthe genus Enterobacter or a bacterium of the genus Clostridium.

(6) The agent for reducing an intestinal toxic bacterium as described inany one of (1) to (4) above, which is an intestinal pH lowering agent.

(7) The agent for reducing an intestinal toxic bacterium as described inany one of (1) to (4) above, which is an intestinal ammoniaconcentration reducing agent.

(8) The agent for reducing an intestinal toxic bacterium as described inany one of (1) to (4) above, which is an intestinal putrefaction productconcentration reducing agent.

(9) The agent for reducing an intestinal toxic bacterium as described in(8) above,

wherein the putrefaction product is indole or skatole.

(10) The agent for reducing an intestinal toxic bacterium as describedin any one of (1) to (4) above, which is an intestinal bifidobacteriumpropagation accelerator.

(11) The agent for reducing an intestinal toxic bacterium as describedin any one of (1) to (4) above, which is a chapped skin improving agent.

(12) A food or drink or a food or drink material, which comprises:

the agent for reducing an intestinal toxic bacterium as described in anyone of (1) to (4) above.

(13) A tablet or hard capsule filling type food article orpharmaceutical preparation, which comprises:

the agent for reducing an intestinal toxic bacterium as described in anyone of (1) to (4) above.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Salacia

The agent of the invention for reducing an intestinal toxic bacteriumcontains a pulverized product or extract of a plant of the genusSalacia. As the plant of the genus Salacia, Salacia reticulata, Salaciaprinoides, Salacia oblonga and the like plants of the familyCelastraceae, genus Salacia, can be used. Particularly, Salaciareticulata, which is also called kothalahimbutu, can be suitably used.

According to the invention, preferably an extract or pulverized productfrom at least one species selected from the group consisting of a trunk,a root skin and leaf of a plant of the genus Salacia can be used.

It is desirable that the leaf is used as a small piece or powder bypulverizing it. In addition, it can also be ingested as such.

The root skin and trunk can be used as powders. In addition, these canalso be used for the extraction of an extract. The term extract as usedherein means an extract of a plant of the genus Salacia. When used inthe extraction of an extract, these may be used as such, or the extractcan be extracted after making into small pieces or powders bypulverizing them.

According to the invention, the extract of a plant of the genus Salaciamay be any one of the filtrate after extraction as such, or itsconcentrated or diluted state or in the form of its dried powder, or amixture thereof.

The dry extract powder of the aforementioned extract can be used as suchwhen used or by dissolving in an appropriate solvent. The aforementionedsolvent may be any substance, with the proviso that it is a solventwhich can be used at the time of extraction and does not exert a badinfluence upon the human body even when it remained in the drug orfoodstuff after preparation, and water, an alcohol or a hydrous alcoholis preferably used. More preferably, hot water or ethanol or hydrousethanol is used. Regarding the alcohol concentration of theaforementioned hydrous alcohol, those which have a concentration of from30 to 90% by mass, preferably from 40 to 70% by mass, may be used. (Inthis specification, mass ratio is equal to weight ratio.) As the dryingmethod, spray drying, freeze drying and the like can be exemplified,though not limited thereto.

It is preferable that the pulverized powder or powder-extracted extractpowder of the root skin or trunk shows a weight loss on drying of 10% orless, more preferably a weight loss on drying of 8% or less, by theweight loss on drying test of The Pharmacopoeia of Japan.

In addition, the extract or pulverized product of a plant of the genusSalacia can also be used in the form of a paste or powder byconcentrating and drying the same. When the extract is made into a pasteor powder by concentrating and drying it, a freeze drying method, aspray drying method and the like are used, though not limited thereto.The extract of a plant of the genus Salacia made into a paste or powdercan be ingested as such, or a dried extract powder of the extract of aplant of the genus Salacia may be made into a food article, by adding toand mixing with a material containing water, tea, coffee, juice, alcoholand the like drinks, a cake and the like general food and the like as aninclusion composition, in an amount of 0.01% by mass or more of theinclusion composition. It can also be used for an external use.

Particularly, the drinks are used as container-packed drinks. Since theappearance of a container-packed drink shows a large change in colortone when preserved for a prolonged period of time, it becomes unfit asgoods. In the drinks, coloration gradually advances and the color toneis changed with the lapse of time.

By adding ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate or the like antioxidant forthe purpose of maintaining the color tone, it can exert further improvedeffect. Blending amount of the antioxidant is from about 0.03 to about1.2% by mass, preferably from about 0.04 to about 1.0% by mass, morepreferably from about 0.05 to about 0.8% by mass, based on the inclusioncomponent.

<Other contents>

It is desirable that the agent of the invention for reducing anintestinal toxic bacterium contains flavonoid in addition to the extractor pulverized product of a plant of the genus Salacia.

Flavonoid is a general term for the pigment components distributing inall plant organs, which is contained mainly in fruits and vegetables andis present particularly in the form of glycosides in skins of green andwhite vegetables and citrus fruits.

According to the invention, the flavonoid is a general term for thepigment components broadly distributing in plants, and particularly, itmeans flavan derivatives frequently contained in vegetables and fruits.

As the flavonoid, flavonols, isoflavones and catechins are preferable.Flavonols are known as polyphenols.

Flavonoid is a substance ingested into the body, but is generally hardto be absorbed. However, since flavonoid is effective even at a smallamount and is a strong antioxidant, it is known that it suppresses theactivity of carcinogens and has blood circulation accelerating actionand anti-thrombus action.

According to the invention, flavonoid can be obtained from tea, grape,onion and the like respective origins. In this case, the origins meanthose which are extracted from at least a part of an organism. Forexample, the above-mentioned method for preparing an extract of a plantof the genus Salacia can be employed for the extraction, and the form ofthe extract can also be the same as described in the above; for example,it may be any one of the filtrate after extraction as such, or itsconcentrated or diluted state or in the form of its dried powder, or amixture thereof.

The tea extract containing catechins is prepared from a tea plant whichis an evergreen tree belonging to the family Theaceae. As the tea plant,both of the assamica cultivated in India, Sri Lanka and Southeast Asiaand Camellia sinensis cultivated in China and Japan can be used. Ingeneral, water, an alcohol or a hydrous alcohol is preferably used inthe extraction. More preferably, hot water or ethanol or hydrous ethanolis used as the extraction solvent. Regarding the alcohol concentrationof the aforementioned hydrous alcohol, those which have a concentrationof from 30 to 90% by mass, preferably from 40 to 70% by mass, may beused. As the drying method, spray drying, freeze drying and the like canbe exemplified, though not limited thereto.

Polyphenol, catechins and the like antioxidants are contained in the teaextract. It is desirable that catechin, epicatechin, gallocatechin,epigallocatechin, catechin gallate, epicatechin gallate, gallocatechingallate or epigallocatechin gallate is contained therein, and it isparticularly desirable that epigallocatechin gallate is containedtherein.

It is preferable that the agent of the invention for reducing anintestinal toxic bacterium contains said tea extract in an amount offrom 0.1 to 40% by mass, more preferably from 0.5 to 35% by mass,particularly preferably from 1.0 to 30% by mass.

Also, the flavonols as one of the flavonoid eliminate active oxygen andthereby show anti-oxidation actions such as suppression ofarteriosclerosis and improvement of blood circulation. Among theflavonols, resveratrol as one of the polyphenol has been drawingattention as an antioxidant. Resveratrol is constituted from thestilbene backbone and contained in a large amount in the rind of grapesso that it is also contained in red wine produced from grapes.

It is desirable that the invention comprises a grape extract or grapewine concentrate which contains said flavonols as a component.

It is preferable that the agent of the invention for reducing anintestinal toxic bacterium contains the grape extract in an amount offrom 0.1 to 30% by mass, more preferably from 0.1 to 10% by mass.

It has been revealed that resveratrol has the actions to burn fat, toprevent a blood vessel system disease, arteriosclerosis, to exertanti-cancer action and to prevent shortening of DNA caused by celldivision, and has the effect to prolong life of cells similar to thecase of carrying out calorie control, so that it has the excellenteffect as a material for preventing life style-related diseases.

The resveratrol content in the agent of the invention for reducing aninternal toxic bacterium is preferably from 0.0001 to 5.00% by mass,more preferably from 0.001 to 2.00% by mass.

In addition, among the flavonols, quercetin as a polyphenol has beendrawing attention as an antioxidant. Quercetin has the flavan structureand is contained in a large amount in onion skins.

Vitamin C absorption support, anti-oxidation action, immune action andthe like physiological actions of quercetin have been reported, and ithas been revealed that it is effective in suppressing fat absorption andit has been revealed also that it has the excellent effect as a materialfor preventing life style-related diseases.

The quercetin content in the agent of the invention for reducing anintestinal toxic bacterium is preferably from 0.001 to 15% by mass, morepreferably from 0.05 to 10% by mass, further preferably from 0.1 to 5.0%by mass.

It is preferable that the agent of the invention for reducing anintestinal toxic bacterium contains catechin in an amount of from 1 to50% by mass. As the catechin, a green tea-derived one or the like isparticularly desirable.

In addition, it is preferable that the agent of the invention forreducing an intestinal toxic bacterium contains a polyphenol havinglipase activity inhibitory effect in an amount of from 2 to 80% by mass.As the polyphenol having lipase activity inhibitory effect, thosederived from Oolong tea, derived from grape, derived from apple, derivedfrom Lychee, derived from pine bark, derived from kanka and the like areparticularly desirable.

<Performance>

Action to Reduce Intestinal Toxic Bacteria

As described in the above, the agent of the invention for reducing anintestinal toxic bacterium can reduce intestinal toxic bacteria throughits ingestion, by containing a pulverized product or extract of a plantof the genus Salacia.

The intestinal toxic bacterium is particularly a toxic bacterium in thelarge intestine, and for example, a bacterium of the genus Clostridium,a bacterium of the genus Enterobacter and the like can be cited.

Intestinal Putrefaction Product

Also, reduction of an intestinal putrefaction product can be carried outby ingesting the agent of the invention for reducing an intestinal toxicbacterium. As the putrefaction product, indole and skatole can beparticularly cited.

Other Actions

Also, propagation of bifidobacterium (a bacterium of the genusBifidobacterium), so-called a good bacterium, can be accelerated byingesting the agent of the invention for reducing an intestinal toxicbacterium.

In addition, optimization of intestinal pH, reduction of intestinalammonia concentration, improvement of chapped skin and the like can becarried out by ingesting the agent of the invention for reducing anintestinal toxic bacterium.

It is desirable that the agent of the invention for reducing anintestinal toxic bacterium has a sucrase 50% inhibition concentration(IC₅₀ value) of 50 μg/ml or more and 1000 μg/ml or less. When theinhibition activity becomes smaller than this range, the glucoseabsorption inhibitory action from the digestive tracts becomes weak andthe expected effects becomes slightly weak, and when it becomes large, afeeling of abdominal swelling and generation of gas becomes slightlystrong. The sucrase 50% inhibition concentration is preferably 80 μg/mlor more and 600 μg/ml or less, more preferably 100 μg/ml or more and 450μg/ml or less.

The sucrase 50% inhibition concentration (IC₅₀ value) is measured by thefollowing method.

Measurement of Sucrase IC₅₀ Value

Preparation of sample solution: A 2 mg portion of a sample is weighedand put into a tube and thoroughly suspended in 2 ml of water addedthereto, thereby preparing a sample solution having a concentration of 1mg/ml. This is diluted with water to respective concentrations of 0, 50,100, 250 and 500 μg/ml.

Preparation of substrate liquid: Sucrose is dissolved in 0.2 M maleatebuffer (pH 6.0) to a sucrose concentration of 100 mM, and this is usedas the substrate liquid.

Preparation of crude enzyme liquid: A 1 g portion of intestinal acetonepowder rat (mfd. by SIGMA) is suspended in 10 ml of physiological salineand then centrifuged (3,000 rpm, 4° C., 5 min). The thus obtainedsupernatant is separated and used as the crude enzyme liquid.

A 400 μl portion of the substrate liquid is added to 500 μl of each ofthe aforementioned sample solution having respective concentrations andpreliminarily heated at 37° C. for 5 minutes in a water bath. A 100 μlportion of the crude enzyme liquid is added to each of them and allowedto undergo the reaction at 37° C. for 60 minutes. After completion ofthe reaction, the reaction is terminated by deactivating the enzymethrough heating at 95° C. for 2 minutes. Determination of concentrationof the thus formed glucose is carried out using a commercially availablekit for mutarotase glucose oxidase method (Glucose CII Test Wako, mfd.by Wako Pure Chemical Industries).

Preparation of blank: A 200 μl portion of the substrate liquid and 50 μlof the crude enzyme liquid are added to 250 μl of each of theaforementioned sample solution having respective concentrations andimmediately heated at 95° C. for 2 minutes to effect thermaldeactivation of the enzyme, to be used as blank data.

By preparing a calibration curve from the thus obtained values, theconcentration which inhibits 50% of the enzyme activity (IC₅₀ value) iscalculated.

<Shape>

The agent of the invention for reducing an intestinal toxic bacteriumcan be used as food and pharmaceutical preparations. In addition, theagent of the invention for reducing an intestinal toxic bacterium cantake powder preparations, tablets, solutions, capsule preparations andthe like various shapes.

According to the invention, in order to improve periodical discolorationof the extract powder extracted from the plant of the genus Salacia, itis desirable to contain 1% by mass or more of calcium carbonate orsilicon dioxide as a desiccant in forming tablets or capsules.

Further, a low moisture absorption material, a moisture absorbent, anantioxidant and the like which are applicable as a foodstuff or foodadditive agent can be used. Preferably, cellulose, crystallinecellulose, cellulose powder, microcrystalline cellulose, lactose, anoligosaccharide, a sugar alcohol, trehalose, magnesium stearate, calciumstearate or the like is used as the low moisture absorption material. Asthe moisture absorbent, silicates, magnesium carbonate, a ferrocyanide,polysaccharides or the like are used. More preferably, crystallinecellulose, microcrystalline cellulose or lactose is used as the lowmoisture absorption material. As the antioxidant, ascorbic acid, sodiumascorbate or the like is used.

A compound necessary for forming into the powder, solid preparation orliquid preparation of the invention, and the like may be optionallycontained. As examples of such a compound, erythritol, maltitol,hydroxypropylcellulose, kaolin, talc and the like can be cited.

According to the invention, conventionally known measures andconventionally known materials can be applied to the preparation forobtaining powder preparations, tablets or solutions, granulation ofcapsule inclusion matter for forming capsule preparations, capsulation,capsule material and the like.

The capsule preparation of the invention may be in a hard capsule, softcapsule, seamless capsule, microcapsule or the like shape, and ischaracterized in that the capsule shell is constructed by at least oneor two or more species selected from pig skin gelatin, pig bone gelatin,fish gelatin and a natural hydrophilic polymer. A capsule shell of pigskin gelatin or fish gelatin is particularly desirable.

These capsule shells can be produced by a conventionally known method.In this case, the term “constructed by pig skin gelatin, pig bonegelatin, fish gelatin or a natural hydrophilic polymer” means that totalamount of the pig skin gelatin, pig bone gelatin, fish gelatin ornatural hydrophilic polymer is 30% by mass or more, preferably 40% bymass or more, more preferably 50% by mass or more, particularlypreferably 60% by mass or more, based on the total mass of capsuleshell.

In addition, in order to avoid its contact with air from the viewpointof preventing oxidation, it is desirable to pack the above-mentionedcomposition in a packing bag or packing container.

EXAMPLES

The following describes the invention based on examples, but theinvention is not limited to the following examples.

Example 1

Root and trunk parts of Salacia reticulata and Salacia oblonga werepulverized and then subjected to a hot water extraction step, and thethus obtained liquid was spray-dried to obtain a Salacia extract powder.

Powders of the following formulations were prepared using this Salaciaextract powder, and their sucrase IC_(H) values were measured by themethod described above.

Also, an Oolong tea powder was prepared by freeze-drying a commerciallyavailable Black Oolong teat (mfd. by Suntory). It was confirmed thatthis powder significantly inhibits swine pancreatic lipase.

In addition, Sunfenon 100s manufactured by Taiyo Kagaku (contains 55% bymass of catechin) was used as a green tea extract.

Using these, the formulation components shown in the following Table 1were subjected to tablet making to prepare the samples 1 to 12.

TABLE 1 Salacia formulation example and sucrase IC₅₀ value Salaciaextract Green tea Oolong tea Crystalline Sucrose powder extract powdercellulose IC₅₀ value Examples Sample 1  0 mg 0 mg 0 mg 250 mg >2000Comparative Sample 2  0 mg 20 mg  0 mg 230 mg 1020 Comparative Sample 3 0 mg 0 mg 100 mg  150 mg 3350 Comparative Sample 4  20 mg 0 mg 0 mg 230mg 910 Inventive Sample 5 100 mg 0 mg 0 mg 150 mg 182 Inventive Sample 6230 mg 0 mg 0 mg  20 mg 43 Inventive Sample 7 100 mg 10 mg  0 mg 120 mg176 Inventive Sample 8 100 mg 20 mg  0 mg 130 mg 168 Inventive Sample 9100 mg 60 mg  0 mg  90 mg 162 Inventive Sample 10 100 mg 20 mg  100 mg  30 mg 171 Inventive Sample 11 100 mg 0 mg 100 mg   50 mg 175 InventiveSample 12 100 mg 0 mg 140 mg   10 mg 173 Inventive

Each group of 5 healthy adults was allowed to orally ingest one tabletof each of the samples 1 to 12 respectively within 30 minutes after mealevery day, and this was repeated for 7 days. Feces were collected beforecommencement of the ingestion and on the next day of the final ingestionand stored in an anaerobic pack, and identification of bacteria by aculture test and measurement of ammonia quantity and pH were carried outwithin 30 hours.

Regarding detection of the intestinal flora, each bacterial group in theanalytes was counted using a BS agar medium (for the genusBifidobacterium), an NN agar medium (for the genus Clostridium) and aDHL agar medium (for the genus Enterobacter).

Average of each sample ingestion group is shown in Table 2. The numberof cells and ammonia quantity are shown by relative values when thenumber of cells and quantity before ingestion are regarded as 100.

TABLE 2 Change in pH before and Ammonia after BifidobacteriumClostridium Enterobacter (μg/g) ingestion Examples Sample 1 99 100 102105 +0.1 Comparative Sample 2 105 95 90 93 −0.1 Comparative Sample 3 3597 104 110 +0.2 Comparative Sample 4 128 82 89 89 −0.2 Inventive Sample5 195 8 46 60 −0.6 Inventive Sample 6 120 60 64 82 −0.4 Inventive Sample7 220 15 42 53 −0.5 Inventive Sample 8 340 0 21 46 −1.0 Inventive Sample9 348 0 5 40 −1.6 Inventive Sample 10 312 0 25 48 −0.9 Inventive Sample11 188 9 53 72 −0.5 Inventive Sample 12 190 11 52 75 0.0 Inventive

It was found that, by the ingestion of the samples of the invention,species of the genus Clostridium and species of the genus Enterobacteras intestinal toxic bacteria are significantly reduced, and species ofthe genus Bifidobacterium as good bacteria are increased. In addition,it was revealed that both of the pH of feces and ammonia quantity aresignificantly lowered to create an environment under which intestinaltoxic bacteria are hard to live (generally, toxic bacteria easilypropagate at around neutral pH).

Regarding the ingestion quantity of Salacia, the sample 5 showed a goodresult in comparison with the samples 4 and 6. It was considered thatthis is because three of the persons to be tested in the sample6-ingestion group caused diarrhea.

In addition, the sample 9-ingestion group in which Salacia and catechinwere concomitantly used changed to most favorable intestinalenvironment.

It was found that the intestinal toxic bacteria tend to increase by theingestion of the Oolong tea powder alone, but it is suppressed by theconcomitant use of Salacia and catechin.

Example 2

Measurement of putrefaction products contained in the feces of beforeand after ingestion of the samples obtained in Example 1 was carried outusing GC-9A manufactured by Shimadzu Corp.

Average of each sample ingestion group is shown in Table 3. Amounts ofthe putrefaction products, indole and skatole are shown by relativevalues when their amounts before ingestion are regarded as 100.

In addition, the questionnairing on the parsons to be tested was carriedout regarding the before and after ingestion, and conditions of the skinand tiredness were scored based on the following criteria.

Conditions of the skin 5: Became good

-   -   4: Became slightly good    -   3: No change    -   2: Became slightly bad    -   1: Became bad

Tiredness 5: Became hard to tire

-   -   4: Became slightly hard to tire    -   3: No change    -   2: Became slightly easy to tire    -   1: Became easy to tire

Average values of the obtained scores are shown in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Putrefaction Amount products of Amount of Conditions Totalindole skatole of the (μg/g) μg/g μg/g skin Tiredness Examples Sample 1102 110 102 2.8 3.2 Comparative Sample 2 101 96 95 3.2 3.0 ComparativeSample 3 123 131 210 2.0 2.2 Comparative Sample 4 75 81 82 3.8 3.8Inventive Sample 5 55 62 50 4.2 4.0 Inventive Sample 6 62 69 66 4.0 3.8Inventive Sample 7 46 42 14 4.4 4.2 Inventive Sample 8 30 35 4 4.6 4.4Inventive Sample 9 22 11 0 4.6 4.6 Inventive Sample 10 32 38 22 4.6 4.2Inventive Sample 11 60 62 54 4.0 4.2 Inventive Sample 12 63 52 44 4.64.0 Inventive

By the ingestion of the samples of the invention, amount of putrefactionproducts in the intestines were significantly lowered and conditions ofthe skin and tiredness were considerably improved.

In addition, particularly among the putrefaction products, reduction ofthe amount of indole and skatole was found.

Though ingestion of the lipase inhibitory material of the sample 3increased putrefaction products in the intestines and worsenedconditions of the skin, it was found that it becomes a proper state bychanging into the constitutions of the invention which can be seen inthe samples 10 to 12.

Example 3 Preparation of Tablets Using Salacia Extract Powder

By preparing tablets using the formulation shown in Table 4, asupplement to which shellac coating was applied was prepared.

TABLE 4 Tablet formulation example using the Salacia extract powder ofthe invention Raw material name Blending amount (wt %) Salacia extractpowder 25.0 Red wine polyphenol 10.0 Onion outer skin extract powder 6.0Green tea extract 15.0 Hematococcus algal pigment 1.0 Chrome yeast 4.0Carnitine 10.0 Crystalline cellulose 23.0 Sucrose fatty acid ester 2.0Lactose 1.0 Calcium carbonate 1.0 Atomized silicon dioxide 2.0

The effects shown by Examples 1 and 2 were obtained by the ingestiontablets of this formulation.

In addition, belly size became neat, the body became lighter, hangoverbecame hard to occur and the like reports were obtained from theingesting persons to be tested.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

An agent for reducing an intestinal toxic bacterium and a food articleor pharmaceutical preparation to which its efficacy is applied areprovided by the invention. Particularly, new effects of loweringintestinal pH, reducing intestinal ammonia concentration, reducingintestinal putrefaction product concentration, accelerating intestinalbifidobacterium propagation and improving chapped skin are provided.

The entire disclosure of each and every foreign patent application fromwhich the benefit of foreign priority has been claimed in the presentapplication is incorporated herein by reference, as if fully set forth.

1. An agent for reducing an intestinal toxic bacterium, which comprises: a pulverized product or extract of a plant of the genus Salacia.
 2. The agent for reducing an intestinal toxic bacterium according to claim 1, which shows an activity as a sucrase 50% inhibition concentration (IC₅₀ value) of 50 μg/ml or more and 1,000 μg/ml or less.
 3. The agent for reducing an intestinal toxic bacterium according to claim 1, which further comprises: from 1 to 50% by mass of catechin.
 4. The agent for reducing an intestinal toxic bacterium according to claim 1, which further comprises: from 2 to 80% by mass of polyphenols having lipase activity inhibitory effect.
 5. The agent for reducing an intestinal toxic bacterium according to claim 1, wherein the intestinal toxic bacterium to be reduced is a bacterium of the genus Enterobacter or a bacterium of the genus Clostridium.
 6. The agent for reducing an intestinal toxic bacterium according to claim 1, which is an intestinal pH lowering agent.
 7. The agent for reducing an intestinal toxic bacterium according to claim 1, which is an intestinal ammonia concentration reducing agent.
 8. The agent for reducing an intestinal toxic bacterium according to claim 1, which is an intestinal putrefaction product concentration reducing agent.
 9. The agent for reducing an intestinal toxic bacterium according to claim 8, wherein the putrefaction product is indole or skatole.
 10. The agent for reducing an intestinal toxic bacterium according to claim 1, which is an intestinal bifidobacterium propagation accelerator.
 11. The agent for reducing an intestinal toxic bacterium according to claim 1, which is a chapped skin improving agent.
 12. A food or drink or a food or drink material, which comprises: the agent for reducing an intestinal toxic bacterium according to claim
 1. 13. A tablet or hard capsule filling type food article or pharmaceutical preparation, which comprises: the agent for reducing an intestinal toxic bacterium according to claim
 1. 